Bill Self plans to attend NBA Draft with former KU stars Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self has undoubtedly had a busy summer.
During the pre-draft process of two former KU stars, Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson, Self — who has also been busy with the transfer portal and rebuilding KU’s roster — has had heavy involvement.
The Hall of Fame coach has spoken with multiple NBA general managers about both players. Most draft experts project Dick to be selected in the lottery after averaging 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last season, shooting 40% from three.
“The feedback (on Dick) has been very positive,” Self said on Tuesday. “I’m not going to make any bold predictions, but it’s been very positive (and many) people like Gradey a lot. They like him all throughout the lottery, not just at the end.”
While Dick is a projected top-14 pick, most mock drafts have Wilson’s range anywhere from late-first round to the end of the second round.
Still, Self has heard great things about Wilson from NBA teams.
“He’s had impressive workouts,” Self said. “I’ve talked to some teams who’ve said he’s shot as well as anybody that rolled through there. ... If he can sneak into the late first, that would be fantastic. I don’t think he will last much after that.”
Normally, Self keeps in touch with his former players who are draft eligible, and this year is no different.
He has kept in constant contact with the duo and tells them what range he’s hearing they will be drafted in. Self doesn’t want his players to get drafted to any particular team, but rather just have a real role wherever they land.
“I think the most important thing is (they are) going to a place where you can actually be ... needed and not go to a place that just feels like a roster spot,” Self said. ”Unfortunately, that happens quite a bit.”
Self said he plans to attend the draft and will spend time with both players. While Dick has an NBA Draft invite, Wilson will be at the draft as a spectator.
“Even though it’s never enough, I’ll be real excited for these guys,” Self said. “It’s a life-altering moment. ... It’ll be a special night.”
Self believes the success of recent KU players in the NBA — Christian Braun and Ochai Agbaji among them — will help this duo’s draft stock.
Self is also pleased with Wilson’s development in returning to school for one more season before the draft.
“I certainly felt it this year,” Self said. “(Wilson) had as good a senior year as anybody that we’ve had here. He and Ochai’s — the difference was Ochai’s team won it when he was a senior when he was part of that.
“Jalen’s team didn’t win it his senior year, but you just look at Ochai’s compared to Jalen, those were comparable years. I mean, Jalen Wilson had as good of a senior year as you can have.”
Ultimately, no matter where either player ends up, Self has reiterated to each player that their role will change in the NBA.
Wilson will go from a first option on offense to likely fighting for minutes. In comparison, Dick will go from the second option offensively to likely being a role player — at least in his first season.
Self gave details about what he tells his players so that they can succeed in the NBA long-term.
“How many guys in the NBA have the same roles they have in college?” Self said. “Very few. How do you leave this place, go to the NBA and be able to make the best players in those franchises ... play better? How do you make those guys better? That’s the key.
“It’s not going to be how do they make you play better? They’re not going to run plays for you. They’re going to run plays for them and it’s your job to help the team score off of their plays, as opposed to your role.”
